PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE

Similar presentations

Presentation on theme: "PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSE"— Presentation transcript:

1 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEMasters and Johnson: four phasesExcitation:Vasocongestion: pelvic area receives more blood in general, in particular to genitals.Males:penile erectionscrotal sac thickens, elevates

12 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHealth Benefits Associated With OrgasmGeneral HealthAn orgasm at least once or twice per week appears to strength the immune system’s ability to resist flu and other virusesPain ReliefSome women find that an orgasm’s release of hormones and muscle contractions help relieve the pain of menstrual cramps and raise pain tolerance in general.

13 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHealth Benefits Associated With Orgasm (Cont’d)Lower Cancer RateMen who have more than five ejaculations per week during their 20s have a significantly lower rate of prostate cancer later in lifeMood EnhancementOrgasms increase estrogen and endorphins, which tend to improve mood and ward off depression in women

14 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHealth Benefits Associated With OrgasmGreater Feelings of IntimacyThe hormone oxytocin, which may play a role in feelings of love and intimacy, increases fivefold at orgasmBetter SleepThe neurotransmitter dopamine, released during orgasm, triggers a stress-reducing, sleep-inducing response that may last up to two hours

15 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEEmotional Changes During Orgasm:Based on EEG, MRI and PET scans done in the lab while subjects having an orgasm.General emotional response:coded in limbic association area, especially prefrontal cortex and cingulate gyrus.Pleasure:coded in basal forebrain, especially ventral tegmental area and its dopaminergic stimulation of the reward centres of the septal nuclei and the nucleus accumbens.Euphoria:probably by assymetric cortical activationThe proportion and intensity of each varies with each orgasm.So: orgasms differ

16 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEResolution:Return to normal, muscles relax, breathing etc. back to normal, blood back to circulation from genitals.Malesrefractory periodEACH PHASE MUST BE FULLY COMPLETED IN ORDER TO REACH THE NEXT ONE

18 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSESOME GENDER DIFFERENCES:Excitation: women slower:cultural expectations, socializationpregnancyIT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR MALE PARTNER TO MAKE SURE SHE IS READY FOR PLATEAU STAGE

19 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSESOME GENDER DIFFERENCES (cont’d)Plateau:without orgasmic platform women can’t have orgasm.Orgasm:multiples for many women. Some women cannot go through resolution without several orgasms, vasocongestion persists. Thoughtful male partners go last. Some men report more than one orgasm, usually dry ones (no ejac.) and only one wet one.Three types of female orgasm have been identified by some researchers:from clitoral stimulation, via pudendal nervefrom G-spot stimulation, via pelvic nervea blend of bothResolution:women have no refractory period

21 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSESOME GENDER DIFFERENCES (cont’d)Retrograde Ejaculation:Two separate valves or sphincters, one to let urine into urethra, and another to let semen into urethra. When one is open, the other closes. In some cases, the semen valve is closed and the urinary valve that opens to the bladder is open. Semen flows into bladder. No ill effects.Is there female ejaculation? Mixed evidence.Skene’s glands or paraurethral glands: on the urethra. Could be supplying ejaculatory fluid.

22 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEFemale Ejaculation: Fact or Fiction?anecdotal reports available for a couple of centuries or moresome women were said to have a copious release of fluid that was not urine during orgasmresearch is very inconclusive, only case historieschemical analysis of fluid: in some studies, found to be identical to urine, in other studies found to be very similar to prostatic fluid

23 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEFemale Ejaculation: Fact or Fiction?the female equivalent of the prostate, developed from the same embryonic tissue, are the Skene’s or paraurethral glands, lining the outside of the urethra, with some ducts found going into the urethrait is possible that, due to small differences during prenatal development, some women have hyperdeveloped Skene’s glands that produce a fluid similar to prstatic fluid, while many women do not have this capacity.

25 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEEach phase shows age changes.Excitation:Men:fastest years, then slow declineMiddle Age:very noticeable, need direct stimulationOld Age:need lots of direct stimulationWomen:slower in teens, early 20sfaster 30’s onPlateau:capacity for longer with agesame, but never a big problem

26 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEOrgasmic:Men:intensity lessens from mid- to late 20sMiddle Age:really noticeableejaculate less volume, less forcefulResolution:Refractory period increases

30 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSECognitive models:Kaplan’s triphasic model:sexual desirevasocongestionmuscular contractionWalen and Roth’s model:emphasis on perception and evaluation, 8 steps, necessary for the arousal cycle to be completed

32 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEWomen’s Neural Mechanisms:Not yet well knownControversy surrounding G-spot and female ejaculation.One recent study found that sexual sensations can be transmitted to the brain via the vagus nerve, which is normally used for digestive processes.

33 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHigher Centres:limbic system: septal region of the amygdala

34 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEExperiments using electrical stimulation:Erection centers found in the limbic system, both in monkeys and humans.In addition to the experiment mentioned in the text (Heath, 1972), there have been others where male volunteers were wired and had control of the electric charge. They would have spent hours at it if allowed!

35 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHormonal Influences on Sex:Hormone:substance produced by endocrine glands (internal secretion) which affect specific organs via the blood streamExocrine Gland:substance produced by a gland that goes to the ‘outside’, e.g., sweat, tearsMost Studied Sex Hormone:testosteroneproduced by testes, ovaries and adrenal glandsimportant for sexual desire in both sexes

36 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHormonal Influences on Sex (Cont’d):Women have 1/10th the amount but are ten times more sensitive to it.More testosterone in a normal person will not increase desire or response.Most testosterone is ‘bound’, not available in this regard, ‘free’ testosterone is 2-5%.Oxytocin, produced by the pituitary, important for female orgasm.

37 Chemistry of AttractionDHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone): secreted by adrenal glands, weak androgen. Pro-hormone. Most sex hormones and pheromones derived from it. Same amount for males and females in bloodstream.Pheromones: sexual signals for both sexes. Sensed by the vomeronasal organ.Oxytocin: released by the pituitary when touching or being touched by loved ones, even not in a couple relationship. Important for attachment, also involved in parental behaviours.

38 Chemistry of AttractionPEA (phenylethylamine): called “the molecule of love”, produce euphoria, amphetamine-like substance produced in brain capillaries and in catecholaminergic terminals. Low PEA levels associated with depression (some depressions successfully treated with PEA). Some people become addicted to the PEA “high” and change partners frequently to get it, it is more abundant early in a relationship. Or believe real love has died.

41 Chemistry of AttractionVasopressin: hormone produced by the pituitary, antidiuretic (water retention), increases blood volume and blood pressure, identified as the “monogamy molecule”, modulates testosterone, levels extremes of feelings, increases focus in lovemaking.All these substances fluctuate in a 24 hr. cycle, also with age and environmental events.The “high” of early love is short-lived (6-30 months). Cultural belief in passionate love forever not realistic.But long-term couples experience periodic re-awakening of passion, (vacation, children away, etc.)

42 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHormonal Influences on Sex (Cont’d):Hormones are NOT directly responsible for human sexual behaviour, as they are in most animals.Psycho-social context and culture are the most important determinants.In real life, people in good relationships say that sex is better than in casual situations.

43 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEHormonal Influences on Sex (Cont’d):Pheromones:In animals, substances that act as sexual attractants, olfactory perception. Very important for sex.In humans, there is a vomeronasal organ, located in the nose, that picks up pheromones, found in sweat and genital secretions.Pheromones involved in menstrual synchrony.What could be the effect of perfumes, deodorants,etc.?

44 PHYSIOLOGY OF THE SEXUAL RESPONSEAnatomy and physiology of sex only give us an idea of how our biological equipment tends to work, but it does not give us an understanding of human sexual behaviour. Knowing car mechanics does not make you a good driver!In order to get this, we need to explore our psychology, our communication styles, our culture/s, our interpersonal skills, etc.